As Greek Mythology - that infamous Western guide to lust and love - has illustrated so well, Ancient Greece paints in the heart of many a place of juicy affairs between mothers and sons, between fathers and daughters, between masters and servants, between childhood friends - ones that make you cringe in public, and yet, desperately seek after in the private comfort of your home.
Apollo and his lover, Hyacinthus. This story did not end so well, but yeah, romantic as hell.
Apollo and his lover, Hyacinthus. This story did not end so well, but yeah, romantic as hell.
Homosexuality…was no exception. And thus, we shall dive into the seemingly dry-to-the-bone historical records of the times and stir up interesting facts and tales about the rich homosexual life that educational institutions certainly will censor, and readers certainly will endorse.

  I. Pederasty

Originally "paiderastia", this phrase can roughly be translated to "boy love" - and that pretty much sums up what this type of relationship is about. Usually involving an older male and adolescent youth, pederasty described their companionship and intimate attraction to each other. In such relationships, the older man was called "erastes" - dominant - and took on the role of educating, loving, and providing a role model for his young partner, and getting his youth, beauty and promises back; the "eromenos" - submissive, which learned from his partner the ways of Greek life and the countless responsibilities of adulthood. There were restrictions, obviously: the "eromenos" could not be less than twelve years of age, and the relationship between them traditionally lasted until the boy had become a man - when he had obtained a full-grown beard. Fun fact: In ancient Spartan weddings, the bride had her hair cropped short and was dressed as a man, so the husband's transition from homosexual to heterosexual relationships was easier. Gay.
Notice the hands.
Notice the hands.
Ah, and pederasty involved plenty of sexual intimidation. In ancient Greece, sex was generally understood in terms of penetration, pleasure, and dominance, rather than a matter of the sexes of the participants. Owing to this open-mindedness, sex between the "erastes" and the "eromenos" was considered normal, even helpful, as such intercourses could help prepare the submissive partner for the later adult life. Penetrative sex was outside the socially accepted norm, however, as it was considered demeaning for the passive partner. Other than that...your imagination will fill out the details.

II. The love of Achilles and Patroclus

Presented in the Illiad by Homer and beautifully polished in the novel The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, their love was one of the most romantic and moving stories in the whole of Greek mythology, perhaps even surpassing that of Orpheus and Eurydice - who literally went to hell and back for each other. 
  Achilles - the greatest of the Greeks, whose mother was the goddess of the sea Thetis and who was invincible (save for a spot at his heels), destined for a life of greatness and glory. Patroclus - an exiled prince, cast away by his own father, coming to shelter under the House of Peleus, Achilles’ father, as a mere orphan, a low subject among other common boys. And yet, by some strings of fate, their eyes met, their hands touched, their figs shared - they grew up together, inseparable, and came to the Trojan war as such.
Achilles tenderly cater to Patroclus's wounds. Not gay, like, at all.
Achilles tenderly cater to Patroclus's wounds. Not gay, like, at all.
  And oh boy, let me tell you about Achilles when he heard that Patroclus was killed by Hector, prince of Troy. Quote,
  “News of Patroclus’ death reaches Achilles, which throws him into deep grief. The earlier steadfast and unbreakable Achilles agonizes, touching Patroclus’ dead body, smearing himself with ash and fasting. He laments Patroclus’ death using language very similar to that later used by Andromache of Hector. He also requests that when he dies, his ashes be mixed with Patroclus'.
  The rage that follows from Patroclus’ death becomes the prime motivation for Achilles to return to the battlefield. He returns to battle with the sole aim of avenging Patroclus’ death by killing Hector, despite a warning that doing so would cost him his life. After defeating Hector, Achilles drags his corpse by the heels behind his chariot.” 
  “Philtatos,' Achilles says, sharply. Most beloved.” 
  Their ashes were buried together, their names engraved on the same tombstone - how many even have such profound love, and how many dares mingle their ashes together - inseparable in life as well as in death?
In the darkness, two shadows reached through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.
In the darkness, two shadows reached through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.
Amid all the suppression and harassment, love stories still bloom, don't they?